Agora
Posts in Politics
What we've got here is a failure to communicate
Following a chaotic beginning to its first days in office, the SYRIZA-led coalition is beginning to settle into a more stable pattern in terms of its relationship with the eurozone. Those first, faltering steps have left a blot in the government’s copybook that it will be hard to erase over the coming days and weeks.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
Another euro stitch unpicked
If there was any doubt that the negotiations between the new Greek government and its lenders are going to be incredibly tense, there isn’t now. The European Central Bank’s decision on Wednesday night to stop accepting Greek government bonds as collateral from local lenders has minimal practical impact in the short-term but maximum effect in symbolic terms.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
Less is more: The Greek government needs a chisel, not a sledgehammer
The parliamentary majority achieved by the SYRIZA-led coalition government following the 25 January elections constitutes a strong political mandate in mathematical terms. Among one of the many immediate challenges facing the new administration is trying to translate its numerical advantage into a majority of support among Greek citizens, including those who did not vote for the senior coalition party.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Politics (387), Greece (498)
Understanding the German approach towards Greece
With the new government in Greece preparing for the negotiations with the troika, the German position in particular has been a topic of debate, both in Greece and on markets. The key issues are the German attitude towards a Greek exit; the influence of the new, right-wing populist party AfD on German policy-making; and whether Germany is willing to give in to demands from a Syriza government.
Contributor: Christian Odendahl
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
SYRIZA's only chance
“We want people on the streets, we want you to protest,” SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras told the crowd at his last campaign speech in Athens on Thursday. He and his party envision that popular will can be the rising tide to lift SYRIZA in its battle with the troika and struggle to tame domestic opponents. The thinking goes that if the people are visibly on SYRIZA’s side its bargaining position will be impregnable.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Greece (498)